Portable elevator



Sept. 4, 1928. 1,683,457 H. S. GERMOND. JR.. El AL PORTABLE ELEVATOR Filed July 24, 1925 s sneets-sneez 3 mmvron 7 7 W ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 4, 1928.

UNITED 1,683,457 arent OFFICE.

HENRY s. GERMOND, JR, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY, AND HAROLD GREEN, 0F YoNKERs, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS To SAID GERMOND.

PORTABLE ELEVATOR.

Application filed July 24, 1925.

This invention relates to portable elevators of the extensible or telescoping type, and more particularly to elevators of this char acter in which the frame is extensible inclependently of the load sustaining platform.

The invention contemplates in general the provision of a portable elevator, of the char-- acter described which shall be simple and safe in operation and which includes separate and independent hoisting mechanisms for extending the elevator frame and for elerating the load sustaining platform, the elevator being so constructed that extending and collapsing of the frame may take place independently of movement of the load sustaining platform and vice versa.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved frame construction comprising two or more sections and means for inter-connecting and guiding said sections for relative movement.

A further object is to provide such an elevator construction including novel and improved means for mounting the load susta ning plat-form upon the elevator frame whereby the platform is successively guided upon and carried by the different frame sections when the frame is in extended condition.

Other objects are to provide novel and improved hoist ng mechanism for extending the elevator frame; to provide novel and improved means for paying out cable from the platform hoisting apparatus simultaneously with the extension of the frame, and taking up on the platform hoisting cable simultai-ij'cously with the collapsing of the frame, whereby the frame may be extended and collapsed without the: movement of the platform; to provide in such an elevator, brake mechanism for the platform hoisting app ara tus which prevents descent of the-platform and paying out of cable from the platform cable drum except when. the brake mechanism is positively held released. in combination with m ans for a .tomatirally throwing said lWl-TG i n'isin out of operation when the p t orm its lowermost position whereby the frame may he e: ded without. moving the plaforin: to presume an elevator of this character which is simple, strong and durable in. cons ruction and easy and safe in operatic-n, and to obtain other results and advantages as may be brought out by the following description. I

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Serial No 795.

in which corresponding and like parts are designated throughout the several views by the same reference characters.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a elevator embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the upper portion of the elevator showing the movable section of the frame partially extended and the platform at its uppermost Position; 7

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the elevator with the movable section of the frame completely extended and with the platform at its uppermost position;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View, taken on the line 5'--5 of Figure I;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view, taken on the line 66 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6';

Figure 8 is a fragmei'itary plan view of the mechanism for operatively connecting the frame extending mechanism and the platform hoisting mechanism, and

Figure 9 is" a vertical sect'ionalvieiv, taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8. y

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated, the reference character A designates the base of the elevator which is preferably in the form of a truck mounted at one end upon wheels B- and at the other end on a caster wheel C whereby the truck may be moved from point to point along a floor or other suitable support. The (faster Wheel C is preferably of a construction whereby the truck may be elevated to its Wheels or lowered to cause frictional contact of legs or other supports D with a floor for holding the truck against movement while engaged in handling a load.

Upon the base or truck A is fixedly mount= ed an elevator frame E which preferably comprises a fixed section including a pair of channel bars 1 and 2 at each side of the frame, the bars of each pair being arranged side by side and the bars of the opposite pairs having their channels facing each other inwardly of the frame. The channel bars 1 and 2 maybe mounted in any suitable manner upon the base as by means of brackets F. Vertically movable with respect to thechannel bars 1 and 2 is a supplemental frame section G,

portable which preferably comprises a channel bar 8 at each side insubstantial alinement trans versely of the machine with the channel bars 2 and with its channels facing the channels of the corresponding bars 2, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and of the drawings. The channel bars 3 may be rigidly connected at their upper and lower ends by the respective cross bars 4 and 5. Each ofthe channel bars 3 has secured adjacent its lower end a pair of rollers 6 which may be journaled in brackets 7 projecting laterally from the corresponding bar and arranged within the channel of the corresponding channel bar 1, as clearly showniin Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings. I Vith this-construction, the frame section G is movable up and down on the channel bars 1 whereby the height of the elevator frame E maybe extended as desired, the maximum height being attained when the frame section G isat its uppermost point.

A load sustaining platform H is arranged to move vertically of the frame and is provided at opposite sides with a pair of rollers 8 arranged to move in the channels of the bars 2, and another pair of rollers 9arranged to move in the channels of the bars 3 of the supplemental frame section G, the rollers of the respective pairs 8 and 9 being preferably disposed opposite each other, as clearly shown in Figure 5. lVith this construction, it will be obvious that the platform H may move vertically the whole length of the elevator frame to the top of the supplemental frame section when the latter is in its extended position, both pairs of rollers 8 and 9 serving to support the platform when its elevated position iswithin the height of the channel bars 2, as shown in Figure 1, and the inner pairs of rollers 9 serving to supportthe platform upon the frame section G when the platform is at a position above the top of the channel bars 2, for instance as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

Means is provided for elevating the plat form H upon the frame E for the purpose of raising and lowering a load, said means being shown as comprising a cable 10 which passes over a sheave .11 mounted at the top of the frame section Gand having one end connected as by a clevis 12 to the platform H and its other end connected to a hoisting drum 13 mounted on a shaft 14: journaled in an aux iliary frame I secured to the frame E. The drum 13 is rotated by means of a gear 15 which meshes with a pinion 16 fast on a driving shaft 17 upon which is also fast a gear 18 which meshes with a pinion 19 on a second driving shaft 20. It will be understood that rotationof either of the shafts 17 or 20 inthe proper direction will cause winding or unwinding of the cable 10 upon or from the drum 13 to raise or lower the platform H. The shafts may be rotated in any suitable manner as by a removable crank 21, and When it is desired to raise or lower the platform at a slow speed with maximum lifting capacity, the shaft 20 is used, while to raise or lower the platform at a maximum speed with less lifting capacity, the shaftl'? is used.

For retaining the platform in any desired elevated position and to permit lowering thereof by gravity, any suitable brake mechanism may be utilized. This brake mechanism may include a brake drum 22 rotatable upon the shaft 20 and having internal ratchet teeth 23 which cooperate with spring pawls 24 mounted upon a cross-head 25 fast upon the shaft 20. Thedrum 22 is held against rotation bymeans of brake jaws 26 pivoted at one end, as at27, to the auxiliary frame I and influenced into frictional contact with the drum by means of a compression spring 28 mounted upon a bolt 29 passing loosely through openings in the free ends of the brake jaws. The pawls 24 and the ratchet teeth 23 are so'related that rotation of the shaft 20 to raise the platform H is free, but backward rotation of the shaft as by the infiuence of gravity on the platform is pre vented by the pawls 2 1 engaging the ratchet teeth, it being understood that the drum 22 is always held by the brake jaws 26 against rotation except when the brake aws are forcibly released.

For releasing the brake 'aws from the drum, we may utilize a ouble cam- 30 mounted upon a shaft 31 in the auxiliary frame I. Obviously, rotation of the shaft 31 in the proper direction will separate the free ends of the brake jaws 26 and disengage the jaws from the brake drum, whereupon action of gravity on the platform' H will cause backward rotation of the shaft 20 and the drum 23 so as to permit unwinding of the cable from the drum 13 and lowering of the platform. The shaft 31 may be rotated in any suitable manner as by applying the crank 21 thereto, and as soon as the crank 21 is released, the spring 28 will force the brake jaws into frictional contact with the brake drum 23. i

The movable frame section G may be raised and lowered for extending and collapsing the elevator frame, by any suitable means, but preferably we utilize a cable 35 passing over a sheave 36 mounted at the top of the channel bars 1 with one end connected as by means of a clevis 37 to the lower end of the frame section G and with its other end connected to a Cable drum 38 mounted upon a shaft 39 extending transversely of the aux iliary frame 1. Upon the shaft 39 is fixed a worm wheel 10 which meshes with a worm 41 on a shaft 42 also journaled in the auxiliary frame I and rotatable by any suitable means such as the crank 21. Obviously, rotation of the worm 41 in the proper direction will cause rotation of the cable drum 38 to'raise or lower the frame section all It is desirable that the frame section G be raised and lowered independently of movement of the platform H and vice versa, and accordingly it is also desirable to provide means for paying out cable from the platform hoisting drum 13 simultaneously with the elevation of the frame section G, and for winding up the cable 10 on the drum 13 simultaneously with the lowering of the frame section G. For this purpose We may utilize a gear 45 fast to the worm shaft 42 which may be connected to the shaft by means of an idler 46 rotatable and longitudinally movable on the cam shaft 31 and adapted to mesh with both the gear 45 and a second gear 47 fast on the shaft 20. It will be understood that when the idler 46 meshes with the two gears and 47, rotation of the worm shaft 42 will cause rotation of the shaft 20 which in turn will cause rotation of the cable drum 13, so that in accordance with the direction of movement of the shaft 42, the cable 10 will be wound upon or unwound from the cable drum 13. For causing engagement and disengagement of the idler 46 with the gears and 47, we may utilize a hand lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, as at 56, upon a bracket 57 and connected at one end to a grooved collar 58 fast to the idler 46. Movement of the lever 55 in one direction or the other will obviously cause meshing or unmeshing of the idler 46 with the gears 45 and 47, and for holding the lever in its adjusted positions, we may provide a latch 59 to cooperate with openings 60 in the bracket 57.

It is necessary in the present construction to release the brake jaws 26 from the brake drum 22 to permit rotation of the shaft 20 in the direction to cause unwinding of the cable 10 from the drum 13, and preferably this brake release is automatically operated by the platform H when the latter is in its lowermost position. As shown on the drawings, a lever 48 is pivotally mounted at one end. as at 49, upon the base A of the elevator so that its free end underlies the platform H in such manner that the platform will force the lever downwardly as the platform moves into its lowest position. The lever 48 is connected intermediate its ends by a flexible connector 50 with an arm 51 fast on the cam shaft 31, so that when the lever 48 i forced downwardly by the platform. the cam shaft. 231 is rotated to separate the bralae jaws 26 and release the brake drum 22.

In operation of the elevator, the platform H is normally in its lowermost position as is also the movable frame section (it. hen it is desired to elevate a load to a height no greater than that of the channel bars 1 and 2, the frame section G remains in its lowermost position and the platform is elevated by rotation of either of the shafts 17 or 20. as above described. The brake jaws 26 are of course released from the brake drum 22 while the platform is in its normal position, but as soon as the platform has been elevated a slight distance so as to release the lever 48, the spring 28 closes the jaws upon the brake drum to prevent falling of the platform by gravity. Vhen it is desired to elevate a load to a point higher than that of the channel bars 1 and 2. the frame section G is raised to the desired height by rotation of the worm shaft 42, as above described, the idler 46 having first been thrown into mesh with the gears 45 and 47. During this operation the brake drum 22 is released by the jaws 26 so that the cable 10 is unwound from the drum 13 at the same time that the frame section G is elevated. The ratio of the gearing 45, 46, 47 and the worm 41 and worm wheel 40, is such that there is no movement of the platform H, the cable being unwound from the drum 13 at such speed as to compensate the winding of the cable 35 upon the drum 39. The frame section G is held in its elevated position by the worm and worm wheel 40, it being obvious that the worm 41 cannot be driven or rotated from the worm 40. The idler 46 is then disengaged from the gears 45 and 47, after \vhith the platform H can be elevated to the top of the frame section G by rotation of either of the shafts 1.7 or 20. The frame section G an be lowered without first low ering the platform l-I, since rotation of the worm shaft 4-2 in the direction to lower the frame G will through the gearing 45, 46, 47 cause a winding of the cable 10 upon the drum 13. However, it will probably be )referrcd to first lower the platform H and subsequently the frame section (i.

While we have shown and described the elevator as embodying certain details of construction, it will be understood that this is primarily for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention and that many modifitations and changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit. or scope of the invention. Therefore, we do not desire tobe understood as limiting ourselves except as required by the following claims when construed in the light of the prior art.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim is:

1. An elevator comprising a frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, means for relatively mov ing said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move up and down on said frame and having different portions to successively engage adjacent frame sections and support the platform thereon as the platform moves upon said frame when the latter is extended, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

2. An elevator comprising a frame includlit) 1 iii ing a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, each of said sections having a longitudinal channel, a load sustaining platform mounted to move up and down on said frame and having a plurality of rollers certain of which are arranged to run in the channels of particular frame sections and others of which are arranged to run in the channels of other frame sections and support the platform thereon, whereby the platform may move up and down upon said frame successively from one section to the next adjacent section when the frame is extended, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

3. An elevator con'iprising a frame having a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections each formed with a guide oppositely facing the guide of the adjacent section, means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse the frame, a load sustaining platform having a portion arranged in each of said guides so that said platform is mounted upon said frame for movement up and down thereon from one section to the other when the frame is extended, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

il. An elevator comprising a frame having aplurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections each formed with a channel oppositely facing the channel of the adjacent section, means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse the frame, a load sustaining platform having a portion arranged in each of said channels so that said platform is mounted upon said frame for movement up and down thereon successively from one frame section to the adjacent section when said frame is extended, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

5. An elevator comprising a frame having a pliu'ality of relatively longitudinally movable srctions each formed with a pair of oppositely facing channel bars with the channels of the bars of one section opposite and "acing the channels of the bars of the other section, means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse the frame, a load sustaining platform having a portion arranged in each of said channels so that said platform is mounted upon said frame for movement up and down thereon from the one frame section to the adjacent section when said frame is extended, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

(3. An elevator comprising a frame having a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections each formed with a channel oppositcl facing the channel of the adjacent section. means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse the frame, a load sustaining platform having opposite rollers one of which is arranged to run in the channel of one of said sections and the other of which is arranged to run in the channel of the next adjacent frame section, whereby said platform may move up and down on said frame successively from one section to the next adjacent section, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

7. An elevator comprising a frame having a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections each formed with a pair of oppositely facing channel bars with the channels of the bars of one section opposite and facing the channels of the bars of the other section, a load sustaining platform having two pairs of opposite rollers, one roller of each pair being arranged to run in the channels of one of said sections and the other rollers of each pair being arranged to run in the channels of the next adjacent frame section, whereby said platform may move up and down on said frame successively from one section to the next adjacent section, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

8. An elevator comprising a frame formed of a plurality of sections one of which includes two spaced and parallel pairs of chan nel bars. the channels of the bars of each pair facing the same direction and oppositely to the channels of the bars of the other pair. the other of said frame sections being formed of two spaced and parallel channel bars each of which is connected to the channel of the corresponding bar of each of said first-mentioned pairs of bars to provide for relative longitudinal movement of said sections and formed with a channel opposite and facing the channel of the corresponding other bars of each of said first-mentioned pairs of bars, in ans for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame. a load sustaining platform having two pairs of opposite rollers. one roller of each of said pairs being arranged to run in the second-nientimied channels of said first-mentioned pairs of bars and the other roller of each pair being arranged to run in the channels of the sccond-n'ientioncd frame section. whereby said platform is mounted upon said frame for movement up and down thereon. and means for raising and lowering said platform.

9. An elevator comprising a frame formed of a plurality of sections one of which includes two spaced and parallel pairs of channel bars. the channels of the bars of each pair facing the same direction and oppositely to the channels of the bars of the other pair, the other of said frame sections having a pair of rollers arranged to run in the channel of the corresponding bar of each of said pairs of bars to provide for relative movement of said sections, said second-mentioned section also having a channel facing and opposite Ill) the channel of each of the other bars of said pairs of bars, means for relatively moving said frame sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform having two pairs of opposite rollers, one roller of each pair being arranged to run in the channels of one of said sections and the other rollers of each pair being arranged to run in the channels of the next adjacent frame section, whereby said platform may move up and down on said frame successively from one section to the next adjacent section, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

10. Elevating apparatus comprising a vertical frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, cable hoistingmeans for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move vertically on said frame, a second cable hoisting means for raising and lowering said platform, and means cooperating with said two hoisting means to cause unwinding and winding of cable by said platform hoisting means simultaneously with and in coi'npensation of the extending and collapsing respectively of said frame and to permit raising and lowering of said platform independently of the extension and collapse of said frame.

11. Elevating apparatus comprising a vertical frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move vertically on said frame, means for raising and lowering said platform including releasable brake mechanism for normally permitting raising of said platform and preventing descent thereof by action of gravity, and means cooperating with said two means to permit extending and collapsing of said frame and raising and lowering of said frame each independently of the other.

12. Elevating apparatus eom n'ising a vertical frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, cable hoisting means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move vertically on said frame, a second cable hoisting means for raising and lowering said platform including releasable brake mechanism for normally permitting winding and preventing unwinding of cable by the platform hoisting means, and means cooperating with said two hoisting means to 'ause unwinding and winding of cable by said plat.- form hoisting means simultaneously with and in compensation of the extending and collapsing respectively of said frame and to permit raising and lowering of said platform independently of the extension and collapse of said frame.

13. Elevatin apparatus comprising a vertical frame incduding a plurality of relative longitudinally movable sections, means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move vertically on said frame, means for raising and lowering said platform, and a gearing connection between said two means for operating the platform raising and lowering means in a manner to lower and raise the platfoim simultaneously with the operation of the first-mentioned means to extend the frame and collapse the frantic respectively. whereby said frame may be extended and collapsed without moving said platform.

14-. Elevating apparatus comprising a vertical frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, cable hoisting means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move vertically on sat id frame, a second cable hoisting means for raising and lowering said platform, and a gearing connection between said two hoisting means to cause unwinding and winding of cable by said platform hoisting means simultaneously with the extending and collapsing respectively of said frame.

15. Elevating apparatus manprising a vertical frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move vertically on said rame, means for raising and lowering said platform, a brakeniechanism for normally permitting raising of said platform and preventing descent thereof by action of gravity, means for automatically releasing said brake mechanism to permit descent of the platform when the platform is in its lowermost position. and means cooperating with said two iirst-inentiimed means for operating the pl atform raising and lowering means in a manner to lower and raise the platform simultancously with the operation of the first-mentioned means to extend the frame and collapse the frame respwtively, whereby said frame may be extended and collapsed without moving said platform.

16. Flevating apparatus comprising a ver tical frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections. means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform n'iounted to move vertically on said frame, means for raising and lowering said platform, a brake mechanism for normally permitting raising of said platform and pre venting descent thereof by action of gravity, means for automatically releasing said brake mechanism to permit descent of the plat form when the platform is in its lowermost position, and a separable gearing connection between said first two means for operating the platform raising and lowering means in a manner to lower and raise the platform simultaneously with the operation of the firstmentioned means to extend the frame and collapse the frame respectively, whereby said frame may be extended and collapsed without moving said platform.

17. Elevating apparatus con'iprising a vertical frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, cable hoisting means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move vertically on said frame, a second cable hoisting means for raising and lowering said platform, a brake mechanism for normally permitting winding and preventing unwinding of cable by said platform hoisting means, means for automatically releasing said brake mechanism to permit unwinding of cable while the platform is in its lowermost position, and means cooperating with said two hoisting means to cause unwinding and Wind ing of cable by said platform hoisting means simultaneously with and in compensation of the extending and collapsing respectively of said frame and to permit raising and lowering of said platform independently of the extension'and collapse of said frame.

18. Elevating apparatus comprising a vertical frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, cable hoisting means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move vertically on said frame, a second cable hoisting means for raising and lowering said platform, a brake mechanism for normally permitting winding and preventing unwinding of cable by said platform hoisting means, means for automatically releasing said brake mechanism to permit unwinding of cable while the platform is in its lowermost position, and a separable gearing connection between said two hoisting means to cause unwinding and winding of cable by said platform hoisting means simultaneously with the extending and collapsing respectively of said frame.

19. An elevator comprising a frame formed of a plurality of sections one of which has two substantially parallel guides facing in the same direction and the other of which is mounted to move on one of said guides and formed with another guide opposite and facing the other of said first two mentioned guides, means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted upon said frame and having a portion to engage and run in the second-mentioned guide and another portion to engage and run in the third-mentioned guide, whereby when the frame is extended said platform may run successively from one guide to another up and down the full height of said frame, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

20. Elevating apparatus comprising a vertical frame including a plurality of relatively longitudinally movable sections, means for relatively moving said sections to extend and collapse said frame, a load sustaining platform mounted to move vertically on said frame, meansfor raising and lowering said platform, and compensating means cooperating with said two means to permit operation of the frame extending and collapsing means independent of and without moving said platform and to permit operation of said platform raising and lowering means independent of and without moving said frame sections.

HENRY S. GERMOND, JR. HAROLD GREEN. 

